Oral stereognosis, articulation, and oral motor proficiency among a cerebral palsied population

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between oral stereognosis, articulation, and diadochokinetic rate within a cerebral palsied population. All subjects were between the ages of twelve and fifty-three; exhibited normal hearing sensitivity as determined by a pure tone screening test; and exhibited normal visual sensitivity as demonstrated by the ability to match visually three-dimensional objects to a two-dimensional pictured representation.

Each subject was administered the diagnostic Templin-Darley Tests for Articulation. Production was assessed for the target phoneme and also for all the phonemes in the stimulus word. Automatic and controlled diadochokinetic rates were assessed for speech and nonspeech activities. Oral stereognosis was assessed by the ten item Florida Oral Recognition Measure.

The following results are based on the findings of this study:

1. There is a significant relationship between oral stereognosis and articulation proficiency within cerebral palsied subjects. Articulation is assessed as correct production of the stimulus word.

2. There is a significant relationship between oral stereognosis and diadochokinetic rate within cerebral palsied subjects.

3. There is no significant difference in accuracy or time required for task completion between two trials of oral stereognosis within cerebral palsied subjects. 4. There is no significant relationship between response accuracy and time required for task completion on tests of oral stereognosis within cerebral palsied subjects.